Refrigerated show case



Oct. 8, 1929.

K. A. WEBER REFRIGERATED SHOWCASE Filed Aug. 1,1. 1926 Patented Oct. 8f,1929 UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE KARL ALBERT WEBER, 0F LOS ANGELES,CALIFORNIA, ASSIG-NOR TO WEBER SHOW- CASE & FIXTURE COMPANY, OF LOSANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA Application led August11, 1926. Serial No. 128,573.

This invention relates to refrigerated showcases and is moreparticularly directed to a refrigerated showcase and means formaintaining within the showcase a uniform and definite temperaturethrough the interior thereof.

Many refrigerated showcases are now used forthe display of meatsandother articles of food which must be maintained at a low temperature, ifthe same are to be displayed any considerable length of time, in orderto preserve the same. y

Many lrefrigerated showcases have been constructed and patented, but theprincipal dificulty had with such showcases lies in the fact that thereis not maintained throughout the showcase a uniform temperature. Theupper shelves of such showcases will be at a temperature of from severalto twenty or i 26 more degrees higher than the lower shelves thereof sothat the food upon the upper shelves is not properly cooled, or thatupon the lower shelves is cooled to a temperature below that desired forthe correct preservation thereof. v

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a refrigeratedshowcase having means for maintaining throughout the showcase a uniformor substantially uniform temperature so ,that the food positioned withinthe showcase for display will be properly preserved.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means formaintaining-throughout the showcase a substantially uniform temperatureand which means is inexpensive to operate and automatic in control.

Another object of this invention is to p rovide a refrigerated show casehaving means mounted therein for maintaining a uniform temperaturethroughout the case, and which means constitute a continuouscoilextending substantially the length of the showcase and in which coil acirculating means is mounted for circulating a cooling solution or brinethrough the coils.

Another object of this invention is to provide a refrigerated showcasehaving means for maintaining within the showcase a uniform temperature,and which means comprise a brine container which is insulated on itsexterior from the interior of the show case and from which brinesolution. the cooled brine is circulated to a substantially horizontalcoil. mounted above the center line of the container and which coil isof a continuous construction returning the brine tothe container. v

Another obj ect of this invention is to provide a draft or aircirculation control means within the container for -the control ofcirculation of air for maintaining the upper regions of the showcase ata temperature substantially uniform with thatY of the lower regions. 1 A

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof asillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings: Y

Figure 1 is an isometric View of a showcase embodying this invention.

Figure 2 is an end sectional view taken substantially through the centerof lthe showcase.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmental sectional end view of the top portionof the brine container, illustra-ting the means for maintaining acirculation of the brine through the cooling coil. v

Figure 4 is a fragmental end section illustrating the manner ofconstruction of baie t, plates for the control of air circulation withinthe showcase.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic View of a cooling apparatus embodied in thisinvention.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention, illustrated in thelaccompanying drawings, 1 illustrates a showcase composed of insulatedsides 2 and 3 connected with insulated bottom and'top sections 4 and 5,respectively, The lsections 2, 3, 4 and 5 are lat their ends connectedwith insulated end sections'. The sections 2, 3, 4, 5 and l6 may be ofany desired or preferred construction, the construction, for example, asis illustrated in my copendingy application for refrigerated showcase,filed July 28, 1926, Serial No. 125,392. The sections 1 and 5 beingof atransparent material, such as plate glass, soas to enable 'the contentsWithin the case to be observed from the 'exterior thereof. The side 3,which is herein doors 7 so as to enable easy access to the in-v teriorof the case.

Mounted'within the interior of the case 1 at lsubstantially the centerthereof is a container 8, which container 8 may be of any desired orpreferred construction and provides a brine container in which a brinesolution is maintained. In' order to maintain the interior of the case 1at a substantially uniform temperature, and in order to enable anaccurate control of the temperature within the case 1, I have found thatthe container 8 should be insulated or covered with an insulatingmaterial, such as illustrated at 9, so as to prevent the container 8acting as a cooling member. The container 8 therefore, which containsthe cooling brine, acts merely as a container for the cooling brine orsolution and does not act as a cooling member for cool- .ing theinterior of the container. It is therefore possible to employ Within thecontainer 8 a brine solution which is at a 'temperature materially belowthat desired within the case 1.

Means are provided for circulating the brine solution from the container8` through a coil 10 which is mounted above the .midsection of the case1, which means are preferably of the following construction:

The coil'10 is an endless coil which ext-ends longitudinally of the case1 from the container 8 substantially the length of the case 1. The ends11 and 12 of the coil 10 are con- -p nected with the interior of thecontainer 8. The end 11 is connected with a `T 13 which -is mountedWithin the container 8. The end 12 is connected in open communicationwith the interior of the container 8. The T 13 is connected, asillustrated at 14, with a stand pipe 15` which extends substantially tothe bottom of the container 8 and-is mounted within an upwardlyextending section 16 of less cross-section than the remainder of thecontainer 8, which section-16 is preferably provided with an insulatedcover 17 upon which cover 17 a motor 18 is mounted.

Secured to the cover 17 is a sleeve 19, which sleeve 19 may be securedto the cover 17 in' any desirable or preferred manner and is hereinillustrated as screw-threaded to a flange 20, upon which flange 20, themotor 18 rests and is secured. The shaft 21 of the motor 18 is securedto a propeller shaft 22 by any suitable or desirable means, as is Wellun# derstood in the art. The propeller shaft 22' is provided at itslower end with a small blade propeller 23 which is within the T 13 belowthe level 24 of the brine in they extension 16 of the container 8. Thepropeller 23 operates to force the bri-ne solution from the container 8through the coil 10 but does not have to raise the brine solution tothe. coil 10 )as the same is mounted below the level" of brine in.

the container 8 and it is therefore unnecessary to provide a stuiiingbox around the shaft 22 to prevent the raising of the brine through thesleeve 19 out of the container. 8 and a very small motor 18 may beemployed for circulating'the brine through the coil 10.

f IMounted on 4the leads of the coil 10 are longitudinally ,extendingbars 25, upon which bars 25 display 'racks 26 are set, which displayracks 26 may be in the nature of trays of any desired or preferredconstruction as is well understood in the art. The trays 26 carry thefood to be displayed within the case 1.

Mounted below the coil 10 are`brackets27 which are similarIlongitudinally extending bars 28 which carry a second set of trays 29upon which food may be mounted in the lower portion of the case 1. Atthebottom of -the case 1 a container 30 of any desired or preferredconstruction is provided upon which food may be placed for displaypurposes.

Means are provided for maintaining the brine vwithin the container 8 atthe desired temperature, which means may be of any desired or preferredconstruction and areherein illustrated as comprising a compressor 31which is adapted to compress ammonia, carbon dioxide, sulphuric dioxide,or like gas, and circulate the same through 'a cooling coil or boilerhead 32 around which the brine solution circulates. The boiler head 32may be located exterior of the case 1 and may supply a plurality of suchcases 1 or containers 8 with cold brine or the boiler head 32 may belocated directly in the container 8 and be provided with compressedrefrigerant gases from the compressor 31, as is well understood in theart. The compressor 31 is driven by an electric motor 33 or othersuitable or desirable motor, the operation of Which motor is 4controlledby a thermostat, (not shown), and which thermostat may be of anysuitable or desirable construction as is wellunderstood in the art andis customarily supplied with l automatic refrigerationI compressingmachines as manufactured and sold for use in connection `with sodafountains, show cases and the like. The thermostat being provided forcontrolling the temperature to which the lrefrigerant is reduced by thecompression Air circulation baiiie plates 35 are mounted n under thecoil 10 and extend substantiallygi@ through the length of the coil 10.The baflie'"'- plates 35 are secured at their forward ends to.

brackets 36 which are secured to the bars 25 byyany suitable ordesirable means, such as illustratedat 37 the plates 35 beingA pivotedto the'members 37 at pins 38. The plates 35 may be regulated in theinclined position so as to regulate or restrict the air circulationwithing the case 1. For this purpose, I have illustrated brackets 39which are secured to the rear bar 25, and which brackets. 39 areprovided with a plurality of holes 40, any one of which are adapted toreceive hooks 41 which are mounted in spaced relation along the rear ofthe plate at pins 42. By positioning the hooks 41 in the proper holes40, the air circulation within the case 1 may be regulated to maintainthe desired temperature within the case 1.

Mounted above the container8 intermediate the plates 35 is anintermediate baille plate 42a which overhangs at its edges 43 the endsof the baiile plates 35, and which plate 42a, because of the limitedspace provided, is preferably nunted rigidly in position and is notadjusta e.

Means may be provided for aiding the air circulation in the case 1 butwhich are not believed necessary in order to maintain an accuratetemperature control throughout the case 1, which means preferablycomprise a small fan 44 which is secured to the upper end of the shaft21 of the motor 18. The fan 44 and motor 18 are enclosed in a case orhousing 45 which has a screen 46- at its upper end.

The motor 18 is connected in the electric circuit with .the thermostat34 so that the same operates only when the temperature within the caserises above that predetermined temperature at which the same is set tocom.

plete the circuit to the motor 33. The temperature of the brine in thecontainer 8 may be materially below that desired in the in- -terior'ofthe case 1 as the temperature of the brine. withinl the tank 8 will notcntrol the case temperature due to the insulation 9, but the amount ofcirculation of the brine will control the same.

Having fully described` a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is-tobe understood that I do not wish to be limited to the exact detailsherein set forth, which may obviously be variedwithout departing fromthe spirit of my invention as set'forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a refrigerated showcase, the combination of insulated sides,bottom, top and end sections forming an enclosed case, a plurality ofdoors at the rear of the case, a container mounted Within the said caseadapted to contain a brine solution, means for cooling the brinesolution, means vfor insulating the said container on the exteriorthereof fromJthe interior of the said case, a circulating coil connectedwith the said container and extending longitudinally outwardtherefrom,and

means for circulating the brine solution from the container through thesaid coil.

2. In a refrigerated showcase, the combination of an enclosed casehaving doors for access to the interior thereof, a container mounted inthe interior of the case adapted to contain a cooling solution,l meansfor maintaining the cooling solution at a low temperature, alongitudinally extending endless coil connected with the said container,means mounted on a level with and Within the said coil for directlycirculating the brine through the said coil, and means for insulatingthe said container.

. 3. Ina refrigerated showcase, the combination of an enclosed casehaving doors fory access to the interior thereof, a container mounted inthe case and adapted to contain a brine solution, means for maintainingthe brine at a low temperature, means for insulating the said containerfrom the interior of the said case, a longitudinally extending coil.connected with the said container at its ends, means mounted on a levelwith and within the said coil for directly circulating the brine throughthe said coil, and baiiie means mounted below the said coil forcontrolling the air circulation within the said container.

4. In a refrigerated showcase, the combination of an enclosed casehaving doors for access -to the interior thereof, a container mounted-inthe case and adapted to contain a brine solution, means for insulatingthe said container from the interior of the said case, means formaintaining the brine at a low temperature, a longitudinally extendingendless coil connected with the said container, means for circulatingVthe brine solution through the said coil, and bafie means mounted belowthe said coil for controlling the air circulation within the said case.

5. In a refrigerated showcase, the combination of an enclosed casehaving doors for access to the interior thereof, a container mountedwithin the case and adapted to contain a brine solution, means formaintaining the brine at a low temperature, means for insulating thesaid container on the exterior thereof, a longitudinally outwardlyextending endless coil connected with the said container at the endsthereof, and adjustable baffle means mounted within the said containerfor regulating the air circulation therein.

6. In a refrigerated showcase, the combination of an enclosed casehaving doors for access to the interior thereof, a'container mounted inthe interior of the case and adapted to containa brine solution, meansfor maintaining the brine at a low temperature, a longitudinallyextending endless coil connectedtwith the said container at its ends,means for circulating the brine through the said coil, vand adjustablemaille means mounted below the said coil in the said case for regulatingthe air circulation therein.

7 In a refrigerated showcase, the combination of an enclosed case havingdoors for ac. cess to the interior thereof, a container mounted in theinterior of the case and adapted to contain a brine solution, alongitudinally extending endless coil connected at its ends with thesaid container, means mounted on a level with and Within the said coilfor directly circulating the brine from the said container through thesaid coil.

8. In a refrigerated showcase,. the combination of an enclosed case, acontainer mounted in the interior of the case and adapted to contain abrine solution, means for maintaining the brine at a 10W temperature, alongitudinally extending endless coil connected .With the said containerat its ends, the inlet to said coil extending to a point near the bottomof the container, and means mounted in the said inlet on a level Withthe longitudinally extending portion thereof for circulating the brinethrough the'said coil.

9.` In a refrigerated showcase, the combination of an e'nclgsed casehaving doors for access to the interior thereof, a container mounted inthe interior of the case adapted to contain a cooling solution at a lowtemperature, a longitudinally extending endless'coil connected with thesaid container at i-ts ends, a cover for the said container, a motormounted on the said cover, a propeller connected with the shaft of thesaid motor and extending into the said coil for directly circulating thebrine through the said coil.

10. In a refrigerated showcase, the combination of an enclosed casehaving doors for vaccess to the interior thereof, a container mounted inthe' interior of the case adapted to contain a cooling solution, meansfor maintaining the cooling solution at a low temperature, said meansincluding a compressor, a motor for driving the compresssor, alongitudinally extending endless coil connected at its ends with thesaid container, means mounted on a level with and Within the said coilfor directly circulating the brine through the said coil, an automatlcthermostat mounted in the case, and means connecting the saidcirculating means With the said thermostat so that the operation of thesaid circulating means is controlled from the said thermostat.

11. In a refrigerated show case a combination of an enclosed case havingdoors for access to the interior thereof, a container mounted in theinterior of the said case, said container being adapted to contain acooling solution, means for maintaining the cooling solution at a lovvltemperature, a cooling solution circulating coil connected with saidcontainer and a propeller mounted in the entrance end of saidcirculation coil for circulating-the cooling solution through said coil;

12. In a refrigerated shovsT case thelcombination of an enclosed casehaving doors for circulation coil connected at its ends with saidcontainer, means for circulating the brine solution from said containerthrough the c1rculation coil and means mounted Within said case forcirculating the air in said case.

13. In a refrigerated show case the combination of an enclosed lcasehaving doors for access to the interior thereof, a container mounted inthe interior of said case, said container being adapted to contain acooling solution, means for maintaining the cooling solution at a 10Wtemperature. a cooling solution circulating coil mounted in the case andconnected at its ends with said container, a propeller for driving thecooling solution through said coil, a fan for circulating air in saidcase, and means for driving said propeller and said fan. A p

Signed at Los Angeles, California, this 5th day of Aug., 1926.

` KARL ALBERT WEBER.

